14 THE ROMAN OCCUPATION 



not so early that they pushed on from Lincoln to York. 

 But it is likely enough that when they did advance the 

 intervening wedge of Derbyshire was left still uncon- 

 quered. Its adits were doubtless held. Coins^ suggest 

 that Melandra may have been established at least as early 

 as Agricola (a.d. 78 — 85). Littlechester may also have 

 been planted early, and thus if the hillmen were not 

 conquered, they were at least hemmed in. By about 

 A.D. 100 it was found possible to send into the Peak a 

 ce?!5;forto register the natives for taxation and recruitment, 

 and that step usually accompanies growing civilisation. 

 But the progress was not wholly forwards. Late in 

 Trajan's reign the north of Britain was disturbed and a 

 whole legion was annihilated. The rising was crushed, 

 and Hadrian's Wall was built to cut off the insurgents 

 from the unconquered and unconquerable Caledonians 

 (about 123). But a new generation sprung up that knew 

 not the defeat of their fathers, and a fresh rising broke 

 out (about A.D. 158). Then the fort at Brough was either 

 built or rebuilt, and, as coins suggest, the other forts were 

 occupied in force. The rising again failed, and it is the 

 last in this part of Britain. Further north, troubles 

 continued. But in Derbyshire, comparative peace 

 apparently ensued. Littlechester seems to drop out of 

 sight as an important place before the end of the second 

 century. It may, indeed, have been dismantled and 

 abandoned. The life of the other forts was possibly 

 longer. But we have no cause to connect them with 

 further troubles. They remained as part of the military 

 system of the north, rather to prevent the growth of 

 restlessness than to coerce unquiet men. 



F. Haverfield. 



3. See the article on The Coins, infra. 



